"I think it's important to make sure that we add experience to the team," Magic GM Rob Hennigan said. "We feel like the veterans we've been able to add certainly, I think, will be able to help everybody, help set a tone, help share experiences and anecdotes and that sort of thing. We place value on that."

In the days ahead, the team will sign 31-year-old power forward Channing Frye.

Frye, Gordon and Green will be surrounded by a legion of youngsters.

Green will be expected to help stabilize the entire locker room and set an example for fellow guards Victor Oladipo, Elfrid Payton and Evan Fournier.

"I take it very seriously," Green said. "I think all of the guys that are blessed to be able to play 10-plus years in this league, it took other veterans and guys wrapping their arms around them and kind of showing them the ropes for them to be successful."

Green and his agent spoke with Hennigan and Magic assistant general manager Scott Perry shortly after the Magic claimed him.

Green insists he's warmed to the idea of joining a team that finished last season with the NBA's third-worst record.

Gordon wants to resuscitate his career after the Detroit Pistons included him as a throw-in to a trade with the Charlotte Bobcats in June 2012.

He clashed with one Bobcats coach, the overmatched Mike Dunlap, during the 2012-13 season and couldn't break into the Bobcats' playing rotation after Steve Clifford replaced Dunlap last summer.

"It's been tough," Gordon said. "Knowing you can contribute more or do more out there on the court and not actually seeing that materialize — it is tough. But being around for 10 years, the league is always about being in a system where you can flourish.

"They told me they needed 3-point shooting and some scoring. Those are two things that I've always done my whole career. I've been able to shoot the ball well and score the basketball."

The Magic signed Gordon to a two-year deal worth a total of $9 million. The salary for the second season is fully non-guaranteed if the team waives him before July 1, 2015.

"He made it clear he's looking to kind of reestablish himself and he felt like this was a good fit for him to do that," Hennigan said.

"And we felt like it was a good fit based on what our roster needed and where we're at at this point in time. And we felt comfortable with him. We felt comfortable that he's in a good place and he's excited to join our team."

jbrobbins@tribune.com. Read his blog at OrlandoSentinel.com/magicblog and follow him on Twitter at @JoshuaBRobbins.

This time, something strange and wonderful happened. The skies cleared, the rain stopped and the starving blind man gorged himself on a much-needed victory and finally regained his sight ¿ the vision of making the playoffs.